METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING A CONTAINER AND TRANSPORTING MEANS FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting a container from a starting station to one of a plurality of final destinations, whether or not via one or more intermediate destinations, wherein the container is provided with data which defines a predetermined route, which data is read during transport. The data preferably defines a predetermined route and means of transport.

Description: METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING A CONTAINER AND TRANSPORTING MEANS FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD The invention relates to a method for transporting a container from a starting station to one of a plurality of final destinations, whether or not via one or more intermediate destinations, and transporting means suit- able for performing this method. The existing method for transporting a container from a starting station to one of a number of final destinations, whether or not this be via one or more intermediate destinations, takes place particularly when a container ship is being unloaded by gripping, displac¬ ing and setting down a container, whereafter the trans¬ port destination and possible interim destinations are then determined. After the transport destination and possible interim destinations are known the container will once again be gripped for placing on the means of transport suitable for that purpose (train, heavy goods vehicle, other ship etc.) or for storage. The above described method is time-consuming. As transporting means for moving a container for instance from a ship to a train or truck, use is usually made of a "spreader" which is movable in the height and which forms part of for instance a transport crane or a lifting vehicle. The existing usual method consists of taking a container out of a ship using a spreader, whereafter the container is placed on the wharf. The transport route for the contain¬ er is then determined, whereafter the container is gripped once again to be taken, via a spreader, to the desired intermediate or final destination. ' The present invention has for its object to provide an improved method for transporting containers from a starting station to one of a plurality of final destina- tions, whether or not via one or more intermediate desti¬ nations, and a transporting means suitable for performing this method. The improvement is herein focused on limit¬ ing the required transporting operations and preventing errors. The invention provides for this purpose a method wherein the container is provided with data which defines a predetermined route, which data is read during trans¬ port. The invention further provides transporting means comprising a data reader and a data processing unit for performing the described method. With a data reader and a data processing unit the data is read during transport. With this step the destination of a container can be determined or monitored during transport; the operations required for this purpose form part of the transport operations. " The method is preferably characterized in that the data comprises a predetermined route and means of trans¬ port. Due to the destination and the subsequent carriage mode becoming known during transport it is for example possible to transfer a container directly from a supply means of transport onto a means of transport for subse¬ quent carriage. The method is preferably characterized in that the data is read when a container is taken from a means of transport. In this way the destination and/or subsequent carriage mode of the container becomes known when it is gripped and this can be anticipated at an early stage. The method is further preferably characterized in that the data is arranged on the containers at a stan¬ dardized position. Reading of the data is in this way simplified. The data reader is preferably connected to a device for moving the container. This step creates the possibil- ity of reading the transport data immediately on coupling of the moving device and the container. The data reader is preferably a bar code reader or a magnetic code reader. These already existing readers can be used reliably in such an application. vehicle 13 as shown in fig. 1 on which the container 5 is placed. It is possible to envisage here a wagon displace- able along a guiding wherein readers are arranged at standardized distance from the guiding for the purpose of reading the data 10, 11, 12. *****

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for transporting a container from a start¬ ing station to one of a plurality of final destinations, whether or not via one or more intermediate destinations, wherein the container is provided with data which defines a predetermined route, which data is read during trans¬ port. 2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the data defines a predetermined route and means of transport. 3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the data is read when a container is taken from a means of transport. "4. Method as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the data is arranged on the con- tainers at a standardized position. 5. Transporting means suitable for performing the method as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, comprising a data reader and a data processing unit. 6. Transporting means as claimed in claim 5, charac- terized in that the data reader is connected to a device for moving the container. 7. Transporting means as claimed in either of the claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the data reader is a bar code reader. 8. Transporting means as claimed in either of the claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the data reader is a magnetic code reader. *****

Inventors: LUBBERS ROBERT MARIE, LUBBERS, ROBERT, MARIE
Applicants: LUBBERS ROBERT MARIE, LUBBERS, ROBERT, MARIE
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B65G63
IPC codes: B65G63, B66C19, G05D1